Chrysanthemum plant named &#39;dlfmara1&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Chrysanthemum  plant named ‘DLFMARA1’, characterized by its upright plant habit; uniform growth habit; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; durable dark green-colored leaves; strong upright flowering stems; freely flowering habit; anemone-type inflorescences with white-colored ray florets; relative tolerance to low and high production temperatures; relative resistance to White Rust; and good postproduction longevity.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Varieties of Chrysanthemum Plants

Inventor/Applicant: Arie Gerard Post

Filed: Oct. 25, 2021

Ser. No.: 63/271,386

Inventor/Applicant hereby claims the priority benefit of this provisional U.S. Patent Application.

Botanical designation: Chrysanthemum X morifolium.

Cultivar denomination: ‘DLFMARA1’.

A Japanese Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instant plant was filed by the Assignee, Deliflor Royalties B.V. of Maasdijk, The Netherlands on Jun. 21, 2021, application number 35513. Foreign priority is not claimed to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant, botanically known as Chrysanthemum x morifolium, typically grown as a cut flower Chrysanthemum and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘DLFMARA1’.

The new Chrysanthemum plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Maasdijk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to create new cut flower Chrysanthemum plants with unique and attractive inflorescences.

The new Chrysanthemum plant originated from a cross-pollination in February, 2018 of a proprietary selection of Chrysanthemum x morifolium identified as code number KR 2008.6601-1, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Chrysanthemum x morifolium identified as code number KR 2013.2342-1, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Chrysanthemum plant was discovered and selected as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Maasdijk, The Netherlands in April, 2019.

Asexual reproduction of the new Chrysanthemum plant by vegetative terminal cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Maasdijk, The Netherlands since April, 2019 has shown that the unique features of this new Chrysanthemum plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DLFMARA1’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DLFMARA1’ as a new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit; uniform growth habit.     -   2. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.     -   3. Durable dark green-colored leaves.     -   4. Strong upright flowering stems.     -   5. Freely flowering habit.     -   6. Anemone-type inflorescences with white-colored ray florets.     -   7. Relatively tolerant to low and high production temperatures.     -   8. Relatively resistant to White Rust.     -   9. Good postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Chrysanthemum differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Chrysanthemum have shallower         proximal sinuses than leaves of plants of the female parent         selection.     -   2. Inflorescences of plants of the new Chrysanthemum have more         ray florets than inflorescences of plants of the female parent         selection.

Plants of the new Chrysanthemum differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Disc florets of plants of the new Chrysanthemum are longer         than disc florets of plants of the male parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Chrysanthemum are more resistant to White         Rust than plants of the male parent selection.

Plants of the new Chrysanthemum can be compared to plants of Chrysanthemum X morifolium ‘Annecy White’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Chrysanthemum differ primarily from plants of ‘Annecy White’ in inflorescence size as plants of the new Chrysanthemum have smaller inflorescence than plants of ‘Annecy White’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Chrysanthemum plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1 ) is a side perspective view of a typical flowering stein of ‘DLFMARA1’ grown as a spray-type cut flower. The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2 ) is a close-up view of upper (left) and lower (right) surfaces of typical inflorescences and typical leaves of ‘DLFMARA1’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the autumn in ground beds in a glass-covered greenhouse in Maasdijk, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typical of commercial cut Chrysanthemum production. Plants were initially given long day/short night treatments followed by short day/long night treatments to induce flower initiation and development. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 25° C., night temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 22° C. and light levels averaged 8 klux. Plants were grown as single-stem spray-type plants and were eight weeks old when the photographs and the description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Chrysanthemum X morifolium ‘DLFMARA1’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of             Chrysanthemum x morifolium identified as code number KR             2008.6601-1, not patented.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of             Chrysanthemum x morifolium identified as code number KR             2013.2342-1, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Terminal vegetative cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About six days at             temperatures about 24° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About eight days at             temperatures about 22° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About twelve             days at temperatures about 24° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About two             weeks at temperatures about 22° C.         -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous; typically creamy white in             color, actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate             composition, water quality, fertilizers, substrate             temperature and physiological age of roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching, medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Herbaceous anemone-type cut flower             that is typically grown as a single stein spray-type;             upright plant habit; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth             rate.         -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 68.9             cm.         -   Plant height, soil level to top of inflorescence             plane.—About 73.8 cm.         -   Plant (spray) diameter.—About 16.9 cm.         -   Flowering stein length.—About 63.9 cm.         -   Flowering stein diameter.—About 6 mm.         -   Flowering stein internode length.—About 3 cm.         -   Flowering stein strength.—Strong.         -   Flowering stein aspect.—Erect.         -   Flowering stein texture and luster.—Moderately pubescent;             slightly glossy.         -   Flowering stein color, developing.—Close to 137C.         -   Flowering stein color, developed.—Close to 143B to 143C; at             the ridges, tinged with close to 177C to 177D.         -   Leaf description.—Arrangement: Alternate; simple. Length:             About 10.3 cm. Width: About 4.9 cm. Shape, in overall             outline: Obovate to broadly elliptic and oblong. Apex: Short             apiculate. Base: Long attenuate. Margin: Palmately lobed,             coarsely dentate to serrate; sinuses divergent and medium in             depth. Texture and luster, upper surface: Moderately             pubescent; not rugose; slightly velvety; matte to slightly             glossy. Texture and luster, lower surface: Densely             pubescent; not rugose; slightly velvety; slightly glossy.             Venation pattern: Pinnate. Color: Developing leaves, upper             surface: Close to 137B. Developing leaves, lower surface:             Close to a blend of 146B and 147B. Fully developed leaves,             upper surface: Close to NN137A; venation, close to 143B.             Fully developed leaves, lower surface: Close to 147B;             venation, close to 146B to 146C. Petioles: Length: About             5 mm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm by 4.5 mm. Strength: Moderately             strong. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces:             Moderately pubescent; moderately glossy. Color, upper             surface: Close to 146B; edges, close to NN137B. Color, lower             surface: Close to 146C; edges, close to 147B. Stipules:             Quantity and appearance: Two leafy stipules, opposite, at             the petiole attachment to the stein. Length: About 5 mm.             Width: About 5 mm. Shape: Deltoid to broadly ovate; apex,             apiculate to acute; base, broadly cuneate; margins, entire.             Texture and luster, upper surface: Moderately pubescent;             matte to slightly glossy. Texture and luster, lower surface:             Densely pubescent; slightly glossy. Color, upper surface:             Close to NN137A. Color, lower surface: Close to 147B. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Anemone-type inflorescence form with             tubular-shaped ray and disc florets; inflorescences, rotate             and flattened globular in overall shape; inflorescences             borne perpendicular to peduncles and face upright; ray and             disc florets develop acropetally on a capitulum.         -   Fragrance.—Faintly fragrant; typical of Chrysanthemums.         -   Flowering response.—Under natural conditions, plant flower             in the autumn/winter in the Northern Hemisphere; at other             times of the year, inflorescence initiation and development             can be induced under short day/long night conditions (at             least 13.5 hours of darkness); uniform flowering habit and             short response time, plants exposed to two weeks of long             day/short night conditions after planting followed by             photoinductive short day/long night conditions flower about             43 days later when grown as a spray-type.         -   Postproduction longevity.—Good postproduction longevity;             after a seven-day storage period, cut flowers will maintain             good color and substance for about two weeks in an interior             environment; inflorescences persistent.         -   Quantity of inflorescences.—Only grown as a spray-type,             typically about 15 to 27 inflorescences will develop per             flowering stein.         -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: About 5 cm. Depth (height):             About 2.2 cm. Disc diameter: About 2.7 cm; conspicuous.         -   Receptacles.—Height: About 3.5 mm. Diameter: About 5 mm.             Shape: Broadly deltoid. Color: Close to 145B.         -   Inflorescence buds.—Height: About 9 mm. Diameter: About             1.2 cm. Shape: Flattened globular. Texture and luster:             Slightly to moderately pubescent; slightly glossy. Color:             Developing involucral bracts, close to 137B and 145B;             developing ray florets, close to 155C.         -   Ray florets.—Quantity and arrangement: About 29 to 34             arranged in a single whorl. Length: About 2.6 cm, varying             between 2.4 cm and 2.8 cm. Width: About 3 mm. Shape:             Tubular; margins fused, only open at the apex. Apex: Retuse             to shallowly emarginate. Margin, free part: Entire. Aspect:             About 60° from vertical. Texture and luster, inner surface:             Smooth, glabrous; slightly velvety; matte. Texture and             luster, outer surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly velvety;             slightly glossy. Color: When opening, inner and outer             surfaces: Close to NN155D. Fully opened, inner and outer             surfaces: Close to NN155D; towards the base, close to 145A;             venation, similar to lamina colors; color does not change             with subsequent development.         -   Disc florets.—Quantity and arrangement: About 200 spirally             arranged at the center of the receptacle in about ten             whorls. Length: About 1.5 cm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm. Shape:             Tubular. Apex: Retuse to shallowly emarginate. Margin, free             part: Entire. Texture and luster, inner surface: Smooth,             glabrous; slightly velvety; matte. Texture and luster, outer             surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly velvety; slightly             glossy. Color: When opening, inner and outer surfaces: Close             to 145D; towards the apex, close to 150A. Fully opened,             inner and outer surfaces: Close to NN155D; towards the base,             close to 145A; color does not change with subsequent             development.         -   Involucral bracts.—Quantity and arrangement: About 28             arranged in about three whorls. Length: About 1 cm. Width:             About 2.5 mm. Shape: Oblong to narrowly ovate. Apex: Bluntly             acute. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster,             upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Texture and luster,             lower surface: Moderately pubescent; matte. Color, upper             surface: Close to 143A; lateral margins, translucent and             close to 156D, apical margins tinged with close to 199C.             Color, lower surface: Close to 137A; lateral margins,             translucent and close to 156D, apical margins tinged with             close to 199C.         -   Peduncles.—Length, terminal peduncle: About 7.6 cm.             Diameter, terminal peduncle: About 2.5 mm. Length, third             peduncle: About 7.9 cm. Diameter, third peduncle: About             2.5 mm. Strength, all peduncles: Strong. Aspect, terminal             peduncle: Upright. Aspect, third peduncle: About 30° from             vertical. Texture and luster, all peduncles: Moderately to             densely pubescent; slightly glossy. Color, all peduncles:             Close to 143A.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Present on disc florets             only. Quantity: About five per floret. Filament length:             About 2.5 mm. Filament color: Close to 145C. Anther size:             About 2 mm by 5 mm. Anther shape: Narrowly oblong. Anther             color: Close to 13A. Pollen amount: Scarce. Pollen color:             Close to 13C to 13D. Gynoecium: Present on both ray and disc             florets. Quantity: One per floret. Pistil length: About             5 mm. Style length: About 4 mm. Style color: Close to 150C.             Stigma diameter: About 0.2 mm. Stigma shape: Cleft,             decurrent. Stigma color: Close to 153D. Ovary color: Close             to 157A.         -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have             not been observed on plants of the new Chrysanthemum. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Chrysanthemum have     been observed to be relatively resistant to White Rust PhNL1     (Puccinia horiana). To date, plants of the new Chrysanthemum have     not been observed to be resistant to pest and other pathogens common     to Chrysanthemum plants grown under commercial conditions. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Chrysanthemum have been     observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about −12° C. to     35° C. and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8 to 10. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant named ‘DLFMARA1’ as illustrated and described. 